Shifting Sands: Luxury Station Wagons Are Here

Customer tastes are constantly changing and evolving as consumers seek “what’s next” and give something new a try including those products they might not have considered previously. The latest shift in tastes in the world of automobiles, at least for the American consumer, are luxury station wagons. Yes, those vehicles popular during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s haven’t ever gone completely away, but today’s consumers seem to want them as long as they are luxuriously attired.

2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon

Cadillac will soon be releasing the 2010 Cadillac CTS wagon, its latest iteration on the CTS theme. Though General Motors says that the car was designed with European shoppers in mind, Cadillac showrooms in America will sell the wagon too. European luxury makers including BMW with its 3- and 5-Series, Mercedes with its C-Class and Audi who seems to have a wagon for most of its lines have long led the charge. The European shopper has always embraced station wagons much as Americans have been drawn to minivans and sport/utility vehicles.

Now word is coming forth that some of the Japanese brands may get in the game. According to Car & Driver magazine, by way of Autoblog, Acura could soon join the fray by offering a wagon version of its TSX model. The TSX wagon is already sold in Europe where it is marketed as the Honda Tourer. The Acura brand is nonexistent on the continent as shoppers there aren’t as discriminating as North Americans when it comes to branding. Yes, the European spec Honda Accord is the same as the North American Acura TSX – the pictured Honda model would need only a fresh grille and some other minor changes before it could be shipped to the US.

From Japan With Love

Lexus and Infiniti could quickly produce their own sets of luxury wagons too. Wagon models sold as Toyotas and Nissans are currently built in Japan and can easily be repackaged as Lexus and Infiniti respectively.

But is demand for luxury station wagons that strong in the US? That’s hard to say. With the US automotive market struggling, it is difficult to tell what is popular or what will become popular once the market recovers. Sales of the CTS wagon will tell a lot – if buyers flock to the car, then competitors will quickly take notice and respond in kind. If the CTS wagon doesn’t sell, GM may still offer the wagon in the US but produce the lion’s share of wagons for the European market.

Times are a changing including sentiments about stations wagons which have been playing second fiddle to minivans for the last quarter century. Shifting tastes could bring the Acura TSX wagon to the market, one more luxe wagon for the premium car shopper.

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GM Rolls Out The Cadillac CTS Wagon

Cadillac’s popular CTS model line will be tripling in size next year with the introduction of two all-new models: a sport wagon and a coupe. The CTS wagon will roll out in the Spring; the coupe before 2009 is out. Last week, GM introduced the wagon and those pictures will follow.

A Cadillac Wagon

A sport wagon may seem like a curious addition to the CTS line up, given that the Dodge Magnum wasn’t much of a seller for Chrysler. However, half of all production will head to Europe where wagons are big. Besides, a luxury wagon is something that certain luxury car buyers want, a niche that CTS hopes to fill.

Cadillac gets a sport wagon for its popular CTS line. Rolling out in early 2009, this car will be designated as a 2010 model.

The CTS wagon has body lines reminiscent to the first generation SRX crossover, which will receive its own update by Summer 2009.

As far as I can tell, the CTS Wagon is the very first Cadillac wagon ever built, at least for the US market.

No worrying that the liftgate will get in the way as it rises high above the roof line of the car.

My what big tail lights you have! Nice dual exhausts too.

A generous cargo area makes visits to The Home Depot possible. Expect that aftermarket manufacturers will come up with a whole host of products to go with the wagon.

More News To Follow

Other particulars about the CTS wagon have yet to be released, information that GM says will be given closer to the production date. We do know that the wagon will seat five passengers (sorry, no third seat available) and will utilize the 3.6L V6 currently powering the CTS sedan. Look for a larger displacement V6 to also be available; no word yet whether a V8 will be included.

(Source: GM Corp.)